Abstract 3684: Using key informants to guide community outreach for cancer topics and areas of focus for Filipino communities
Authors: Mark Lee Willingham, Kevin Cassel, Angela Sy, Munirih R. Ta'afaki, Reyna Bodnar, Lilnabeth P. Somera, Tressa P. Diaz, Angelina G. Mummert, Harmony C. Palaganas
Journal: Cancer Research (2022)

Abstract Since 2003, the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center (UHCC) and the University of Guam (UoG) have worked in partnership to explore health disparities/inequalities for different Pacific Island Populations (PIP). Investigators explore health behaviors and sources of health disparities and equity among Micronesian and Filipino community members in Hawai‘i, Guam, and the neighboring U.S. Associated Pacific Islands (USAPI) through the Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity (PIPCHE). The Community Outreach Core of the partnership works towards objectives that include assisting and promoting PIPCHE research, ensuring inclusion PIP and Filipino community perspectives in research, and building healthcare providers’ competencies. This work aims to directly address the disproportionately high rates of cancer incidence and mortality found amongst these groups in Hawai‘i and Guam. Currently, few cancer control initiatives are designed to specifically address Micronesians and Filipinos, which comprise 40% of Hawai‘i’s population and 70% of Guam’s population. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death for men and the third leading cause of death for Filipinos in Hawai‘i. Also, Micronesians and Filipinos are highly underrepresented among cancer researchers and cancer health care professionals; culturally-grounded approaches to achieve parity in cancer control are sorely needed which remains a focus of the COC. To address the needs of the Filipino community in Hawai‘i, we conducted five semi-structured interviews with Filipino community members to facilitate community engagement, build relationships, and direct future areas for cancer control. Another goal was to establish a relationship-building process to recruit members for the COC Outreach Advisory Council to guide future community efforts. Participants ranged in age; however, all five identified as female were born in various parts of the Philippines, and migrated to Hawai'i at different ages. Some findings from the interviews included the need for culturally tailored and translated cancer materials and resources, a charge to focus on colorectal and breast cancer initiatives, and provide translated health communications utilizing local radio and faith-based organizations. These members were then asked to serve on our Outreach Advisory Council for a period of 5 years to help shape the COC’s efforts towards community engagement with the Filipino community. These planned community-focused efforts should be modeled to ensure shared community-based decision-making for this minority population. Citation Format: Mark Lee Willingham, Kevin Cassel, Angela Sy, Munirih R. Ta'afaki, Reyna Bodnar, Lilnabeth P. Somera, Tressa P. Diaz, Angelina G. Mummert, Harmony C. Palaganas. Using key informants to guide community outreach for cancer topics and areas of focus for Filipino communities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3684.